Pitzer in Italy Semester Program

Core Course: Studies in Italian Culture

Using the city of Parma as a case study, students will explore topics in Italian history, politics, economy, religion, art, literature, and culture through a series of lectures by area scholars and specialists. The course also incorporates the home stay, local visits in Parma, and other more experiential components of the program. For Pitzer students, this course will satisfy Pitzer’s Social Responsibility Praxis (SRX) requirement. 

Intensive Italian Language

Students take Intensive Italian offered at the University of Parma. Becoming fluent in Italian, however, is not just a classroom exercise. It is accomplished by the work done with a Language Tandem Partner (an Italian university student learning English) and also part of students’ everyday life through interactions with their host family and local Italians.  Students with an advanced level of Italian may be eligible to take regular university courses in Italian (in lieu of the Intensive Italian Language course).

Community-Based Service Learning

According to their interests, students are assigned to a volunteer organization in Parma (health, education, immigrant assistance, environmental, etc.) for a full immersion experience that combines Italian language, socio-anthropological training and field work. Through hands-on volunteer work at a local service agency, students learn about contemporary Italian society. Past service included:

• Teaching English in elementary, middle, and high schools
• Working with recent immigrants through non-profits and centers
• Assisting in health programs at local clinics and the Public Health Service (Spazio Giovani)
• Working in various departments at the University of Parma (library, chemistry department, language department)
• Assisting with local youth activities (art classes, music education, sports teams etc)

Survey of Italian Renaissance Art, 1400-1550

The half-credit course course aims to give students an overview of the main artists and works of art that have characterized the Renaissance period in Italy. Students will receive an introduction to the historical period, learn about the concepts of Renaissance and Humanism, and study the main artistic techniques used by different artists. Students will analyze how the different artistic centers (Florence, Rome, Venice, Milan and Parma) have influenced the artists and their works. Emphasis will be given to the analysis of the different works of art through images and originals. The course will include a series of on-site visits in Parma to see works by Correggio and Parmigianino and longer trips to neighboring cities.

The heart of the Pitzer in Italy program is being part of an Italian family. Students live with families for the entire program except on study trips. Through the host family, students have the best opportunity to be incorporated into the social fabric of the local community. Host families may be located in central areas or outside the town of Parma.

To deepen students’ understanding of topics covered in the core course, they visit important local sites in Parma, and often take longer trips. In the past, local trips have included:

• Attending an opera in the glamorous 1800’s opera theater of the city
• Watching master cheesemakers turn milk into Parmigiano Reggiano
• Touring pasta-making facilities to learn about the food industry in Northern Italy
• Visiting local castles such as the Castello di Torrechiara

On longer trips, students have visited:

• Milan to visit the world-renowned Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci and learn about major industries in the industrial north of Italy
• Florence to admire the masterpieces of Italian Renaissance Art in the Uffizi Gallery, explore the famous Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and Baptistery, and learn about power and politics in Italy
• Venice to stroll along the canals, admire the golden mosaics in St. Mark’s Basilica, and to learn about the city's fascinating history and current issues around climate change and over tourism

How to Apply

Application Steps and Deadlines for Pitzer College Students

Application Steps for Non-Pitzer Students

Before You Go

Passport: Everyone on the program needs a passport. Check the expiration date. If you do not have a passport valid for six months after your planned return from study abroad, then you will need to renew your passport.

Orientation: After students apply and are accepted into the program, they will participate in a program orientation before leaving for Italy. Orientations are required and designed to ensure students get the most out of the study abroad experience. They provide cultural context, health and safety information, and academic guidelines. At orientation, students will receive details specific to the program including program dates, flight arrangements, immunization documents, safety guidelines, and the handbook.

Visas: Typically, students on the Pitzer in Italy program will need to obtain a NATIONAL VISA for Italy before leaving the U.S. The Office of Study Abroad & International Programs will provide instructions on how to book a visa appointment and issue the necessary documents. Once students receive instructions and needed documents, they should begin the visa process ASAP as it takes 90 days to go through the Italian visa process. To apply for the visa, students must make an online appointment and appear in person at their Italian consulate. Some students may need to travel to get to a consulate. While going through the visa process students will not have access to their passports. For additional information on the process, visit the Los Angeles Italian Consulate website.